The threat posed by the influx of counterfeit goods to the luxury goods market will be discussed at TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2014.

Hosted by TWFA in partnership with French manufacturers’ association Unifab, the panel of speakers includes Bob Barchiesi, president of US anti-counterfeit association IACC; Emmanuelle Hoffman, lawyer at Cabinet Hoffman and vice-president of UNIFAB; Philippe Lacoste, vice president of UNIFAB and Nestor Martinez-Aguado, who is responsible for intellectual property at the French Foreign Ministry.

Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA president, said: “Estimates from OECD value the global counterfeit market at between USD $600 billion and USD $700 billion per year, and we know that the counterfeit goods market is a huge problem for premium brands, many of whom are members of TFWA.

“Although our industry is successful in ensuring that goods offered in duty free & travel retail outlets are sourced from genuine suppliers, the threat of fakes is always present and indeed growing as miscreants become ever more inventive,” said Juul-Mortensen.

A working lunch will be held for registered delegates in the Salon Croisette, Majestic Hotel at 12:30-14:00 on Tuesday 28 October to encourage debate among suppliers, retailers and landlords on ‘Counterfeit - a Real Threat to our Industry’.